WWE: Who Is Your Favorite Wrestler?

Who’s your favorite wrestler?

How many times have you been hit with that question before?  It’s inevitable, if you’re a fan, that eventually, someone will ask.

Typically, it falls in line somewhere after the first response from the other person in the conversation, who may not be a fan themselves.  

You know, when that person looks at you and says “WWE?  Yeah, well, they know how to put on a show.”  We all know what they’re really thinking.

“Pro wrestling?  Seriously?  Moron.”

So, what do you do, when you’re asked who your favorite wrestler is?

I suppose most of us would answer right away, I mean, why not?  It’s a fair question, based out of curiosity, just to make conversation.  Truth be told, I have answered before myself.

Most of the time, the first guy that comes to mind is Dusty Rhodes.  The American Dream had it all, he was everything for every fan, back in the day.

He could talk a streak, no doubt about it.  Like a Southern Baptist minister shouting the word of God at a traveling tent revival, Dusty had the ability to move people, to make them feel everything that he said.

He brought pro wrestling drama to a whole new level with every promo that he cut, and there are so many guys in the business today who would kill to have just a tenth of the natural charismatic ability on the mic that Dusty had.

Then of course, there’s the fact that the Dream was one of the all-time best in the ring.  Going toe-to-toe with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Wahoo McDaniel, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and so many others, Dusty more than did his part, giving as good as he got.  His ring psychology was on another level, and every time he was in the ring, he told a story that just pulled fans in, compelling them to cheer him on to victory.

For me, Dusty was the epitome what a professional wrestler is supposed to be, and the fact that he looked just like a regular guy, made it all the more real to me.  He is definitely one of a kind, and a true legend.

So, there you have it, that’s my time honored, traditional answer when asked who my favorite wrestler is.  Simple, right?

Eh.

Here’s the thing.  For some reason, the question just hits me the wrong way.  I’m not really sure why, but anytime I’m asked, I tend to hesitate a little, and suddenly I try to find the right way to answer.

It just seems like a silly question.  This is not pro football, or pro basketball we’re talking about here.

Vikings and Sixers, in case you were wondering.

Pro wrestling is not a true athletic competition in terms of wins and losses, with one man doing all he can in the ring to gain a victory over his opponent.  As a kid I was obsessed with my favorites winning, especially Dusty.  Which one of us did not care about that when we were younger?

When I got older, and realized the truth behind how the business works, I was more concerned with how both wrestlers looked in the ring, instead of who won or lost.

Now, as a fan who loves the business, and has been lucky enough to be a part of it, it’s all about the moment, rather than the favorite.  

What memorable moment will be created on Monday night Raw between two of the company’s rising stars?  What truly great moment will be created in a pay-per-view match between two of the company’s established stars?  What main event moment will occur when two of WWE’s legends step into the ring to once again prove why they are among the best of all time?

The question of who my favorite may be is now irrelevant.  What matters the most is who the best worker is, on any given night, to provide the necessary drama to keep us all coming back for more.

What drama?

Stone Cold Steve Austin refusing to tap out to Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter.  On that night, Austin made magic just by shaking his head no, as he screamed while the blood poured down his face.

Nikita Koloff joining Dusty Rhodes in the steel cage against Ole Anderson and JJ Dillon, creating one of the loudest, most emotionally charged pops that I personally have ever heard.

An emotional Shawn Michaels on his knees staring at his first WWE Championship, set to the backdrop of Vince McMahon proclaiming that the “boyhood dream has come true.”

Sometimes, it’s not just about excitement.  Sometimes, it’s about respect.

Respect, for Stone Cold being a professional in the ring against Eric Bischoff, when he very well could have went into business for himself.  Austin was able to put the past behind him, to do the right thing for the match, and for the company.

Respect, for Ric Flair playing the role of supporter, rather than dictator, in the ring.  He gave his opponents more, and made them look better, than many of them ever deserved to.  Flair understood that giving was just as vital as getting, that the match itself was the most important part.

Respect, for Andre the Giant, for doing the job to Hulk Hogan.  Andre saw the writing on the wall, and knew that the torch was being given to Hogan.  He could have said no, changed the finish at the last minute, and remained undefeated.  Andre did what was asked of him because he understood it was the right thing to do.

For me, it’s all about the art of pro wrestling.  It’s all about the dramatic moments.  It’s all about everyone involved doing everything they can to put the event over, and entertain the crowd.

To think, all of that came from an inner reflection as to the question of who my favorite wrestler is.

Leave it to a fan to make it all complicated.